Your DH has his own blog, you gotta move fast in order to claim funny images such as this one, for your own blog.
:)
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
To Life! **Updated**
My dearest friend, who is a Mama to 6, and whose youngest is 7 months old, called me yesterday with some amazing news... She is expecting!
I laughed in wonder.
And congratulated her most heartily.
She and her husband are just thrilled.
And while it was unexpected in some ways, it was entirely expected in others. Lisa and her husband are very generous people. Not just in being open to life, but in all aspects of their family and friendships. I can't count the number of times I have dropped my 5, to be added to her 6, (that's 11 kids under one roof, folks!) while I ran to the doctor's or some other time-consuming errand. She doesn't bat an eye.
Her parents are very active in the pro-life community here, running a crisis pregnancy center and organizing conferences and marches and masses. Wheelchair-bound from a war injury, her dad is always ready to hand out "precious feet" pins and pro-life bracelets and trinkets for the kids whenever he sees them. They are devoted grandparents, just thrilled by the news.
Unfortunately, not all of our aquaintances are as supportive. Isn't that strange? These are pro-life, strong Catholic moms, and the snide remarks are unbelieveable. The general jist is that they are glad it is someone else having the baby and not them.
Why is that?
Has anyone else encountered anything like this?
Any ideas or thoughts as to why people react/feel this way?
**After a lot of thinking yesterday, it suddenly occurred to me that there was a very good reason for this particular attitude, and that I should be praying, not seething! NFP is a very touchy subject to some of my aquaintances, simply because they are at that time of life when all heck breaks loose and nothing is normal any more. As a result, things are difficult with thier husbands, who, while being loving and supportive, are struggling with these changes as well. (I'm being vague on purpose...sorry!) Contraception, believe it or not, is looking mighty attractive to these women right now, given especially the recent scandalous behavior of quite a few priests in the Church! (I'm not saying what I think, but what I understand these people to think)
This is a crisis of faith. And if disobedience to Church teaching is chosen, the entire family will suffer.
Again, these are good, strong Catholic moms. I need to support them in my prayers! **
I laughed in wonder.
And congratulated her most heartily.
She and her husband are just thrilled.
And while it was unexpected in some ways, it was entirely expected in others. Lisa and her husband are very generous people. Not just in being open to life, but in all aspects of their family and friendships. I can't count the number of times I have dropped my 5, to be added to her 6, (that's 11 kids under one roof, folks!) while I ran to the doctor's or some other time-consuming errand. She doesn't bat an eye.
Her parents are very active in the pro-life community here, running a crisis pregnancy center and organizing conferences and marches and masses. Wheelchair-bound from a war injury, her dad is always ready to hand out "precious feet" pins and pro-life bracelets and trinkets for the kids whenever he sees them. They are devoted grandparents, just thrilled by the news.
Unfortunately, not all of our aquaintances are as supportive. Isn't that strange? These are pro-life, strong Catholic moms, and the snide remarks are unbelieveable. The general jist is that they are glad it is someone else having the baby and not them.
Why is that?
Has anyone else encountered anything like this?
Any ideas or thoughts as to why people react/feel this way?
**After a lot of thinking yesterday, it suddenly occurred to me that there was a very good reason for this particular attitude, and that I should be praying, not seething! NFP is a very touchy subject to some of my aquaintances, simply because they are at that time of life when all heck breaks loose and nothing is normal any more. As a result, things are difficult with thier husbands, who, while being loving and supportive, are struggling with these changes as well. (I'm being vague on purpose...sorry!) Contraception, believe it or not, is looking mighty attractive to these women right now, given especially the recent scandalous behavior of quite a few priests in the Church! (I'm not saying what I think, but what I understand these people to think)
This is a crisis of faith. And if disobedience to Church teaching is chosen, the entire family will suffer.
Again, these are good, strong Catholic moms. I need to support them in my prayers! **
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Pronunciation Prowess
Arduhbeetum
Arbadeetum
Artateebum
Yup. Just DD #2 talking about our trip to the Arboretum.
Three sentences, three different pronunciations.
The funniest part was that not one of her siblings ventured to correct her.
My guess is that they were just as stumped.
:)
Arbadeetum
Artateebum
Yup. Just DD #2 talking about our trip to the Arboretum.
Three sentences, three different pronunciations.
The funniest part was that not one of her siblings ventured to correct her.
My guess is that they were just as stumped.
:)
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
87 degrees? Great day for the State Fair!
Naturally.
But in all seriousness, we had a great time.
We saw "Big Tex" as soon as we got there, amidst protestations from DD #1 who was convinced that she was going to be scared to death. He is a fairly harmless 52 foot tall statue, who greets the State Fair go-ers every year. DD #1 ended up fascinated by the fact that his mouth actually moved when he talked!
We took in 3 shows, the kids got to ride two rides each, and Mom and Dad are exhausted.
Here are some highlights:
DD #3 (sans nap) dancing along to the "filler" music while we waited for the "Bird Show" to start. This show is a State Fair favorite. They even fly a falcon from the top of the Texas Star ferris wheel down to the stage as part of the show! DS #2 just loved it, since birds are still his favorite topic to study.
Almost losing DD #2 twice. Once on the midway (she was right next to DS #1, I just couldn't see her) and the other time after the Bird Show as we were getting ready to go home. She decided to hang back to see the birds one more time. We were three feet from the Bird Show exit when DH realized she was missing. We turned around, and there she was, sauntering out of the Bird Show arena with a smirk on her face. DH plopped her in the stroller.
The look on DS #1's face when he got off the Texas Star ferris wheel with DH. He was ecstatic.
Watching DS #2 watching the birds. The look of awe and wonderment was priceless. I wouldn't be surprised if working with these creatures is in his future somewhere.
DD #1 telling us we pulled into the driveway that she wanted to watch something because today was "a little bit bor-" I hushed her up fast.
And the weather? A cold front was blowing in as soon as we got home. Polar Bear husband melted today, but got re-invigorated with the arctic blast screaming through our front north-facing windows. The rest of us sensible folks got sweats and sweatshirts on, and humored him with his open-window policy until he left to go to a public speaking event.
Now it's time for hot chocolate and windows closed.
But in all seriousness, we had a great time.
We saw "Big Tex" as soon as we got there, amidst protestations from DD #1 who was convinced that she was going to be scared to death. He is a fairly harmless 52 foot tall statue, who greets the State Fair go-ers every year. DD #1 ended up fascinated by the fact that his mouth actually moved when he talked!
We took in 3 shows, the kids got to ride two rides each, and Mom and Dad are exhausted.
Here are some highlights:
DD #3 (sans nap) dancing along to the "filler" music while we waited for the "Bird Show" to start. This show is a State Fair favorite. They even fly a falcon from the top of the Texas Star ferris wheel down to the stage as part of the show! DS #2 just loved it, since birds are still his favorite topic to study.
Almost losing DD #2 twice. Once on the midway (she was right next to DS #1, I just couldn't see her) and the other time after the Bird Show as we were getting ready to go home. She decided to hang back to see the birds one more time. We were three feet from the Bird Show exit when DH realized she was missing. We turned around, and there she was, sauntering out of the Bird Show arena with a smirk on her face. DH plopped her in the stroller.
The look on DS #1's face when he got off the Texas Star ferris wheel with DH. He was ecstatic.
Watching DS #2 watching the birds. The look of awe and wonderment was priceless. I wouldn't be surprised if working with these creatures is in his future somewhere.
DD #1 telling us we pulled into the driveway that she wanted to watch something because today was "a little bit bor-" I hushed her up fast.
And the weather? A cold front was blowing in as soon as we got home. Polar Bear husband melted today, but got re-invigorated with the arctic blast screaming through our front north-facing windows. The rest of us sensible folks got sweats and sweatshirts on, and humored him with his open-window policy until he left to go to a public speaking event.
Now it's time for hot chocolate and windows closed.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Just a Thought...
How difficult it is, when reading things online, to tell the background of the person relating the story or ideas. In my short year or so of blogging, I've been exposed to this problem time and again. In my own blog, I have tried to be as honest and open as I can about where I'm coming from, and what my background is.
Isn't it interesting to meet someone new, and attempt to explain all the intricacies of your upbringing and your education and your life experiences? Doesn't it seem overwhelming and a bit complicated?
And do you sometimes find yourself assuming that the other person feels exactly the same way as you do? And isn't it strange when you do a little research and find out that you were completely wrong?
For example, I recently read a post on a "Larger Families" blog, (a bit liberal, but not offensive at all) where it linked to an "interesting discussion" over at another blog. The discussion was about larger families, and maybe that was a "new trend". A couple of the anonymous commenters were a bit nasty, but I put in my two cents (very nicely, I might add!) and that was that.
Well, I was going to link to the discussion, but thought I should do a little background check on this blog. Turns out, the author is very liberal, very feminist, and a democrat. Not really something I would endorse. Wow.
Just because she had spoken out in favor of larger families, I was all ready to believe that she was a conservative Catholic!
I know I am naive. I do have a bit of a "Pollyanna" outlook sometimes. I expect people to give me the benefit of the doubt when I'm not as clear as I'd like to be. (like now...lol)
This is not a rant against any of my regular readers, so don't worry! I just find it interesting how quickly people judge and move on.
Including me, sometimes!
Isn't it interesting to meet someone new, and attempt to explain all the intricacies of your upbringing and your education and your life experiences? Doesn't it seem overwhelming and a bit complicated?
And do you sometimes find yourself assuming that the other person feels exactly the same way as you do? And isn't it strange when you do a little research and find out that you were completely wrong?
For example, I recently read a post on a "Larger Families" blog, (a bit liberal, but not offensive at all) where it linked to an "interesting discussion" over at another blog. The discussion was about larger families, and maybe that was a "new trend". A couple of the anonymous commenters were a bit nasty, but I put in my two cents (very nicely, I might add!) and that was that.
Well, I was going to link to the discussion, but thought I should do a little background check on this blog. Turns out, the author is very liberal, very feminist, and a democrat. Not really something I would endorse. Wow.
Just because she had spoken out in favor of larger families, I was all ready to believe that she was a conservative Catholic!
I know I am naive. I do have a bit of a "Pollyanna" outlook sometimes. I expect people to give me the benefit of the doubt when I'm not as clear as I'd like to be. (like now...lol)
This is not a rant against any of my regular readers, so don't worry! I just find it interesting how quickly people judge and move on.
Including me, sometimes!
Power Outage
And so this morning, pre-coffee, but post-sisterly phone call, our power went out with a bang!
The girls were outside playing in the back, when a huge shot exploded across the sky. Living in suburbia, and given the recent and rampant shootings, I hauled the girls in while I figured out what just happened.
The boys determined it first that the power went out.
I hurried outside to check the back, given what happened last time with our small brush fire and all....
No smoke, just some popping noises coming from a transformer somewhere down the alley.
And then, the reports:
DD #1: The lights don't work!
DD #2: The microwave doesn't work!
DD #1: We'll have to have peanut butter for lunch.
DS #1: Or go to Mc Donalds.
DD #1: Yeah!
Me: No.
Ds #2: I'm going to check the TV.
And so, I try to explain to them about electricity, and how everything we use is electric in some way. In other words, if it's plugged in, it won't work right now.
Including my coffee pot.
Argh.
I need to get up earlier and make my coffee first thing!
The girls were outside playing in the back, when a huge shot exploded across the sky. Living in suburbia, and given the recent and rampant shootings, I hauled the girls in while I figured out what just happened.
The boys determined it first that the power went out.
I hurried outside to check the back, given what happened last time with our small brush fire and all....
No smoke, just some popping noises coming from a transformer somewhere down the alley.
And then, the reports:
DD #1: The lights don't work!
DD #2: The microwave doesn't work!
DD #1: We'll have to have peanut butter for lunch.
DS #1: Or go to Mc Donalds.
DD #1: Yeah!
Me: No.
Ds #2: I'm going to check the TV.
And so, I try to explain to them about electricity, and how everything we use is electric in some way. In other words, if it's plugged in, it won't work right now.
Including my coffee pot.
Argh.
I need to get up earlier and make my coffee first thing!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
So, How is School Going, Anyway?
Mr. Cubeland Mystic asked me this question in response to a comment I posted on his blog, and my reply was getting a bit lengthy.
I guess I have more to say on this topic than I thought!
(OK, maybe I am the only one surprised....)
Over all, school is going well. We are staying on task and staying on schedule. I have high expectations for this year. In fact, this may be my "last hurrah" as a homeschooler if things don't go well. That may seem like a lot of undue pressure I've put on myself, but I have my reasons.
One, the biggest, is that I know it is so tempting as a homeschooler to ignore a lot of what the other schools are doing. To just sit back after creating your "learning environment" and view the kids' playing as school, simply because they are learning something. Doesn't matter what that something is, just as long as they are learning it. Trust me, this was me last year. We'd do Math and Phonics and then I'd let the kids do whatever... Not something I'd recommend. My laid-back attitude has cost us, but not too dearly, since I've been able to pick up the pace without a problem. And the kids are where they should be academically. (phew!)
Also, I saw in DS #1 (when he was at school last year) that my kids are capable of making real strides in many subject areas. His spelling was atrocious at the outset, but as every week went by, I saw a marked improvement in his spelling and his writing. It was amazing.
I'm really trying hard not to fall into the "do everything the same as a particular school does it" trap, but I'm finding that, for my personality, I need to feel like my kids are on par. Because, you know what? For every homeschooling success story, there are at least a few "failure" stories.... Kids so far behind, never finishing the years' work, falling a couple of grade levels behind, etc. It's a scary reality.
And I don't want it to be my reality.
But I must leave it on a happy note.
Tonight at dinner, the kids were showing DH how well they can recite the "Sanctus" from our Latin course. They wanted to race each other, to see who could say it the fastest.... (something I forbade when teaching them, since it is the pronunciation that is important at first) And even DD #3, at age 2, was chiming in!
I just love that "trickle down effect"!!
I guess I have more to say on this topic than I thought!
(OK, maybe I am the only one surprised....)
Over all, school is going well. We are staying on task and staying on schedule. I have high expectations for this year. In fact, this may be my "last hurrah" as a homeschooler if things don't go well. That may seem like a lot of undue pressure I've put on myself, but I have my reasons.
One, the biggest, is that I know it is so tempting as a homeschooler to ignore a lot of what the other schools are doing. To just sit back after creating your "learning environment" and view the kids' playing as school, simply because they are learning something. Doesn't matter what that something is, just as long as they are learning it. Trust me, this was me last year. We'd do Math and Phonics and then I'd let the kids do whatever... Not something I'd recommend. My laid-back attitude has cost us, but not too dearly, since I've been able to pick up the pace without a problem. And the kids are where they should be academically. (phew!)
Also, I saw in DS #1 (when he was at school last year) that my kids are capable of making real strides in many subject areas. His spelling was atrocious at the outset, but as every week went by, I saw a marked improvement in his spelling and his writing. It was amazing.
I'm really trying hard not to fall into the "do everything the same as a particular school does it" trap, but I'm finding that, for my personality, I need to feel like my kids are on par. Because, you know what? For every homeschooling success story, there are at least a few "failure" stories.... Kids so far behind, never finishing the years' work, falling a couple of grade levels behind, etc. It's a scary reality.
And I don't want it to be my reality.
But I must leave it on a happy note.
Tonight at dinner, the kids were showing DH how well they can recite the "Sanctus" from our Latin course. They wanted to race each other, to see who could say it the fastest.... (something I forbade when teaching them, since it is the pronunciation that is important at first) And even DD #3, at age 2, was chiming in!
I just love that "trickle down effect"!!
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Sick of Rod Dreher?
Don't blame you.
Me too.
It's really too bad that he and his family have become officially Orthodox. It's too bad that he may lead a lot of other souls astray, souls that have followed him and his ideology from his "Crunchy Con" book and blog.
I'll pray for him, and others who may be wavering.
In the meantime, need an alternative?
Linked to at right, is a Catholic "crunchy con", (who has at one point labeled his familiy's lifestyle as "al dente" con,) Mr. and Mrs. Cubeland Mystic at Immaculate Direction.
Some of my readers already know CM, but I would like to further endorse what he is trying to do. He is truly Catholic and wishes to share his "Shire" with those who would like to try to cut down on the mass consumerism that is our society today.
He is unassuming, non-threatening, and non-judgemental.
Go. See.
Me too.
It's really too bad that he and his family have become officially Orthodox. It's too bad that he may lead a lot of other souls astray, souls that have followed him and his ideology from his "Crunchy Con" book and blog.
I'll pray for him, and others who may be wavering.
In the meantime, need an alternative?
Linked to at right, is a Catholic "crunchy con", (who has at one point labeled his familiy's lifestyle as "al dente" con,) Mr. and Mrs. Cubeland Mystic at Immaculate Direction.
Some of my readers already know CM, but I would like to further endorse what he is trying to do. He is truly Catholic and wishes to share his "Shire" with those who would like to try to cut down on the mass consumerism that is our society today.
He is unassuming, non-threatening, and non-judgemental.
Go. See.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Cold Front
Yessiree, it was a whopping 58 degrees when we woke up this morning....almost cold enough to snow down here, my kids declared. It has been 60 degrees and holding since 9am. DH is in heaven, the big Canadian polar bear that he is. My fingers feel a bit nippy, but I am enjoying the fresh air.
We have a wonderful field trip planned for tomorrow. With the low being 48 degrees in the morning, it promises to be frigid for us thin-skinned folks.
OK...I give in.
Time to get the winter clothes out.
With some beef stew and fresh bread for dinner.
I really do love Fall!
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